Frank Lampard is in advanced talks to become Coventry City’s next manager, with the Championship club hoping to make an appointment by the weekend.
The former Chelsea and England midfielder is one of three remaining candidates being considered by Sky Blues owner Doug King.
Lampard, who has been out of work since his caretaker spell at Chelsea ended in May 2023, is understood to be a frontrunner for the position at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Lampard’s most recent managerial role was his interim spell at Chelsea, which concluded in May 2023.
Prior to that, he managed Everton until January 2022, where he departed with the club in 19th place in the Premier League after recording just 12 wins in 44 matches.
His first managerial position came at Derby County in the 2018-19 season, where he led the Rams to the Championship play-offs.
Frank Lampard could be hired by the weekend
PA
At Chelsea, he previously served as permanent manager between July 2019 and January 2021, securing a fourth-place Premier League finish.
The Sky Blues have been searching for a new manager since Mark Robins was sacked on November 7, ending his tenure as the third-longest serving manager in English football.
Speaking at a Coventry fan forum last week, owner Doug King told Sky Sports News: “We’ve received a huge amount of CVs from high-quality people, of which Frank is one.”
King admitted the decision to dismiss Robins was difficult, saying: “I didn’t get much sleep that night at all.
“I was talking it through in my mind as to whether it was the right moment.”
According to the Daily Mail, Lampard is now one of only three candidates remaining in contention for the role.
King will take advice from performance director Dr Claire-Marie Roberts and head of recruitment Dean Austin before making his final decision.
The club had initially planned to interview both British and overseas coaches, with former PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy previously linked to the position.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is also in the running for the Coventry job
Reuters
Interim manager Rhys Carr has overseen one match since Robins’ departure, securing a 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
Coventry City currently sit 17th in the Championship following what has been described as a slow start to the season.
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Frank Lampard has experience of the Championship with Derby County
PA
The club reached remarkable heights under Robins, advancing from League Two to within one match of the Premier League last season, losing 1-0 to Luton in the play-off final.
Lampard’s only Championship experience came during the 2018-19 season with Derby, where he managed 57 matches, winning 24 and drawing 17, before ultimately falling short in the play-offs.